OBJECTIVE TREE
ANALYSIS
Engr. Alan B. Alejandrino, Ph.D
Graduate School of Government and
University ofManagement
Southeastern Philippines
Theoretically, the
objective tree is the
positive mirror image
of the of the problem
tree, and is exactly the
same structure as the
problem tree.
The problem statements
(negatives) are
transformed into objective
statements (positives),
expressed as “positive
accomplishments”.
However, the results of
the stakeholder
analysis may have
facilitated to give
better focus to
priority problems,
hence, not the entire
original problem
statements may
therefore need to be
translated into
objective statements.
While Problem Analysis presents the Negative
Aspects of an existing situation,
Objective Analysis presents the Positive
Aspects of a desired future situation.
Problem Objective
Transforming Rice production in low
lands decreasing
Rice production in low
lands increased
Problems into
Objectives Soil fertility on hill Soil fertility on hill slopes
slopes is decreasing increased
Ethics clashes in Less ethics clashes in
neighboring barangays neighboring barangays
STEPS IN DEVELOPING OBJECTIVE TREE
Step 1: Reformulate all negative situations of
the
problems analysis into positive
situations that
Step 2: Check the means-ends
are desirable, relationships
realistically to
achievable.
ensure
validity and completeness of the
hierarchy
(cause-effect relationships are turned
into
means-ends linkages).
Step 3: Work from the bottom upwards to ensure
that
cause-effect relationships have become
means-
If
ends relationships.
necessary:
revise
statements
add new objectives if these seem to
be
relevant and necessary to achieve
the
delete objectives which do not
objective at the next higher level
seem
suitablelines
Step 4: Draw connecting or necessary
to indicate the
means-ends
relationships.
Overall
Objective
EFFECTS OBJECTIVES
Purpose
Results
CAUSES RESOURCES
Activities
STRENGTHS OF OBJECTIVE TREE
ANALYSIS
Problem and Objective
Trees Analysis promotes
open-minded and wide-
ranging reflection on the
causes of a problematic
situation.
It helps to achieve a
more specific, modest
and realistic
understanding of project
objectives.
It helps to provide a framework for
project planning.
It is a participatory approach and
assists relevant stakeholders in
participating in planning.
It creates ownership of
problems.
Facilitates common understanding and
better communication between the
parties involved in the project.
A consensus-building tool in the initial
stage of a project.
Visualization with cards facilitates
group
discussions and consensus building.
LIMITATIONS OF OBJECTIVE TREE
ANALYSIS
Objective Trees Analysis requires open-
minded but
disciplined participants
Preparing the ObjectiveorTree
teamis members.
very intensive
and it
is difficult to keep people involved over longer
periods
Objectiveof time.
Tree offers a picture of problems
and their
possible solutions at a given point in time.
Repetition of the exercise will be required
because of changes in the planning
environment.
ACTIVITY:
Suppose you are asked to propose a project on food security. The
funding
agency requires you to conduct a problem tree analysis. The
following were Problem Inventory
identified by the workshop participants:
- Food production on hills - Dikes are degraded
-decreasing
High immigration rates - Canals are blocked
- High incidence of - Soil erosion on hills
-malnutrition
Rice production in low lands -slopes
Food shortages
decreasing
- Poor maintenance of irrigation
- Soil fertility on hill slopes is
facilities
- Irregular supply of inputs for rice
decreasing
production
- Ethnic clashes in neighboring
municipalities
- Irrigation water does not reach fields in desired
quantity
REQUIRED:
Prepare an Objective Tree Diagram that will
highlight the Ends and the Means.
Problem Tree Diagram
Food production
Dikes are
on hill
degraded
decreasing
High
Canal are
immigration
blocked
rates
High incidence of Soil erosion on
malnutrition hill slopes
Rice production
in low lands Food shortages
decreasing
Poor maintenance
system for
irrigation facilities
ENDS
Soil fertility on
hill slopes is
decreasing
Irregular supply of
inputs for rice
production
MEANS
Ethics clashes
in neighboring
districts
Irrigation water
does not reach field
in desired quantity
Incidence of
High incidence of
Objective Tree Diagram
Problem Tree Diagram malnutrition
malnutrition
reduced
Improved Food
Food shortages
condition
Rice
Rice production Food Food
production High
Lower
production in
in low lands on hill on
production immigration
immigration
low lands
decreasing decreasing
hills increased rates
increased
Sufficient Less ethics
Irrigation water
irrigation water
Irregular
Regularsupply
supplyof Soil
Soil fertility
fertility on
on Ethics clashes
clashes in ENDS
does not reach field ofinputs
inputsfor
forrice
rice hill
hillslopes
slopesis in neighboring
reached to the neighboring
in desired quantity production
production decreasing
increased districts
field districts
Soil erosion on
Canal are Dikes
Dikes are
are Soil erosion on
hill slopes MEANS
blocked
cleared upgraded
degraded hill slopes
reduced
PoorImproved
maintenance
maintenance
system for
system
irrigation for
facilities
irrigation
facilities
End of PPT
